Acupuncture and Functional Dry Needling
Our naturopathic doctors and most of our physiotherapists are certified in acupuncture and/or functional dry needling/intramuscular stimulation (IMS). They use needling as an adjunct treatment in their practices.
Acupuncture
The Western approach to acupuncture uses a combination of Western medicine’s understanding and knowledge of the body’s neuromuscular system, while the Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) approach uses the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on the body. When these points are stimulated, endorphins are released, which act as the body’s own natural pain killers. This also helps to encourage tissue healing.
Functional Dry Needling/IMS
Functional Dry Needling or Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is used to treat myofascial or neuropathic pain following injury. The term “dry” needling is used because nothing is injected into the body. Very fine, sterile, disposable needles are inserted into trigger points within the muscles. This causes a reflexive relaxation of the muscle, leading to a decrease in pain and release of the muscle tension. When the practitioner advances the needle deeper into the muscle, some discomfort or muscle cramping may be experienced, but this varies between individuals.